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April 2008

April 27, 2008

Josh Hamilton's sacrifice fly in the third gives him 26 RBI in the month. That's third on the Rangers list for most RBI in the month of April. Juan Gonzalez (1998) has the record with 35. Alex Rodriguez picked up 28 in 2002.

As of now, Sidney Ponson will get a second start with Texas. Jason Jennings will start Tuesday, Kevin Millwood Wednesday, Ponson Thursday and Vicente Padilla Friday. The next opening is Saturday in Oakland. Ron Washington hinted he'd like a lefty to start against the Athletics, which could lead to an A.J. Murray start. Kason Gabbard will make a rehab start Saturday.

Jarrod Saltamacchia and Gerald Laird will the catching duties for the Rangers from now on. Saltalamacchia is making his first start of the season Saturday night and manager Ron Washington said each catcher would likely start two games before switching off.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan met with the media for about 10 minutes Saturday. Here are a couple of highlights from what he said.

"We're in the process of looking at all aspects of the ballclub. If there's anything realistically we can change to make a difference, we're just looking at it. I brought Tom (Hicks) up to date of where we were and what happened on the road trip because he's been in England."

"We have greater expectations than what we've seen so far."

"Ron doesnt' pitch. He doesn't hit and he doesn't field. We have to look at it from the perspective are we doing the things we should be doing to win ballgames or are the guys responding to Ron. The fans are going to have to understand that we're not going to have a kneejerk reaction even though we've gotten off to one of the worst starts this organization has ever gotten off to."

"I think they (the players) are very frustrated with their performance and they feel bad they haven't played better and the focus has gone to him (Washington) more than it has to them. I think that is obviously the tendency."

Among the things that did/did not transpire with the Texas Rangers today:

General manager Jon Daniels, president Nolan Ryan and owner Tom Hicks met over a barbecue lunch in Dallas to discuss the state of the Rangers. Daniels said several different ways to improve the club were discussed, but he didn't delve into specifics.

No meeting was held with manager Ron Washington, who said he's not worried about his job status.

Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma to take the spot of Adam Melhuse, who the club released. Melhuse, who suffered a broken hand Thursday against the Tigers, wasn't going to be available for at least three weeks, and the Rangers needed to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Saturday's probable starter, Sidney Ponson.

Luis Mendoza (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and left-hander Eddie Guardado was activated.

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy has been shut down for another six weeks with the same injury (forearm strain) that caused him to miss the final three weeks of spring training and will keep him out until the All-Star break.

A source has confirmed that catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is en route from Oklahoma City and will join the Rangers for tonight's game against the Twins at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. General manager Jon Daniels confirmed late Thursday that Saltamacchia would be joining the team. Backup catcher Adam Melhuse bruised his right hand Thursday in Detroit. Saltalamacchia is hitting .291 for Triple-A Oklahoma.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed late Thursday night that Jarrod Saltalamacchia would be with the team for Friday's series opener against Minnesota. Adam Melhuse bruised his hand Thursday in Detroit. The Rangers still haven't made the necessary roster move to put Saltalamacchia on the 25-man roster but he is expected to be in uniform tonight.